Tommy Ellison and the Singing Stars will join several other groups Saturday for a gospel concert aimed at benefitting the Palmetto State Law Enforcement Officers' Association.

It's called the Black History Gospel Explosion 2008, and it's a benefit concert to raise money to support potential criminal justice majors as they enter college.

"There's so many kids out there that just don't have the funds for higher education," said Capt. Horace James, Orangeburg-Calhoun chapter president of the PSLEOA. "This is to help those who are willing to go, and help them with the fees. It just takes a burden off of them."

The gospel program includes other singing groups as well, such as The Swanee Quintet, The Southern Six, Alice Williams, Big Bubba and the Eternal Harmonizers and more.

The event will be held Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Lake Marion High School in Santee. Doors to the auditorium open at 6 p.m.

The Saturday concert is the PSLEOA's annual scholarship fund-raiser, which typically raises the money to offer between two and four scholarships to high school seniors from across the state who are seeking a college education in the criminal justice field. The amount of the scholarships depends on the amount raised.

"Each year it depends on our budget," state PSLEOA President Lt. Loretta Davis said. "Last year, we did one scholarship at $1,500, the year before it was three at $2,000" each.

The organization has been raising funds since its inception in 1961. Officials say this year's goal is to reach $4,000 to be divided into two $2,000 scholarships. Past recipients have gone on to become business and civic leaders.

"We're just trying to make a difference," James said. "What we're trying to do is make the community aware that there is an organization out there that wants to help."

Advance tickets are $15 while tickets at the door are $18. Tickets are $10 for children 10 and under.

For tickets or more information, contact Bobby Rivers at 803-682-5589 or James Williams at 803-759-0198.

T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5516. Discuss this and other stories on-line at TheTandD.com.

You must be logged in to comment.